Anatomical and histochemical characterization of stem and leaves of Bauhinia pulchella Benth. (Fabaceae).

Bauhinia pulchella Benth. (Fabaceae), is native to Brazil and popularly known as pata-de-bode. In folk medicine, it is used to treat diabetes. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated different properties, such as cytotoxic and antioxidant, and different chemical constituents, such as essential oil, triterpenoids, steroids, among others. In order to highlight the morphological differences of the species B. pulchella from the others of the genus, and its pharmacological potential, the present study aimed to carry out the anatomical and histochemical characterization of the stem and leaves of B. pulchella. Usual methods in plant anatomy were used in the preparation of semi-permanent slides containing cross sections of the stem, petiole and leaf blade and paradermal sections of the leaf blade for analysis in light microscopy and polarized light. Histochemical tests were also performed to localize the metabolites in the stem and leaf blade. The stem of B. pulchella has a cylindrical outline, the bark is composed of 7-8 layers of cells and discontinuously distributed sclerenchyma; petiole presents flat convex contour, prominences in the adaxial region, concentric amphicrivral vascular bundle, surrounding a small concentric anfivasal intramedullary bundle, adaxially two accessory bundles and tector trichomes; leaf blade with anisocytic and tetracytic stomata on the adaxial surface and anisocytic, tetracytic and anomocytic on the abaxial surface; and midrib with plain-convex outline, 1-2 layers of collenchyma and covering trichomes. Characteristics that differ from other species of the genus Bauhinia. Alkaloids, phenolic compounds, lipophilic compounds, lignin, triterpenes, steroids and tannins were observed in the species. The results are fundamental for the pharmacobotanical standardization of the studied species.

Genotoxic potential of leaf extracts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) is widely used in popular medicine. However, further toxicological studies are necessary for its reliable use. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of J. gossypiifolia, using the test system Allium cepa. In addition, the phytochemical profile of the extracts was also obtained. Seeds of A. cepa were subjected to different concentrations of the two extracts (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/mL). Distilled water was used for the negative control and methyl methanesulfonate (4 x 10(-4) M) and trifluralin (0.84 ppm) for the positive controls. The values of mitotic index at all concentrations of ethanolic extract and at 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/mL aqueous extract showed a significant decrease. Alterations, such as chromosome adherence, C-metaphases, chromosome bridges, nuclear buds, and micronuclei were verified in both extracts but chromosome loss indicating genotoxic activity was observed only in the ethanolic extract. Presence of micronuclei on administration of the extracts, also indicated mutagenic action at the chromosome level. In the ethanolic extract, aneugenicity seemed to be the main activity, probably as a result of the action of terpenes and/or flavonoids, whereas in the aqueous extract, clastogenic action appeared to be the principal activity, presumably as a consequence of the effect of flavonoids and/or saponins. Thus, we suggest that the extracts of this species should be used with great caution for medicinal purpose.

Pernambucone, a new tropone derivative from Croton argyroglossum.

Two tropone derivatives, orobanone (1), previously isolated from Orobanche rapum-genistae, and the new natural product pernambucone (3,8-dimethyl-5-isopropyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-azulene-1,6-dione, 2), were isolated from the sterm bark of Croton argyroglossum. The structures were elucidated from spectroscopic data.

Estudo farmacognóstico de Croton rhamnifolius H.B.K. e Croton rhamnifolioides Pax & Hoffm. (Euphorbiaceae) / Pharmacognostic study of Croton rhamnifolius H.B.K. and Croton rhamnifolioides Pax & Hoffm. (Euphorbiaceae)

Aspectos farmacognósticos de Croton rhamnifolius H.B.K. e C. rhamnifolioides Pax & Hoffm. foram comparados. Evocou-se a armacogeografia do gênero em Pernambuco, bem como a farmacoetimologia, farmacoetnologia, farmacobotânica e a farmacoquímica das espécies citadas. Este estudo permitiu localizar os taxa nesse Estado, conhecer seus nomes vulgares e suas utilizações, segundo a população local. Comparou-se também as características botânicas e finalizou-se com um estudo fitoquímico, que evidenciou os protocolos extrativos, e a caracterização dos principais grupos de substância presentes nos dois taxa: polifenóis, terpenóides, alcalóides e açúcares redutores.

The pharmacognostical aspects of Croton rhamnifolius H.B.K. and C. rhamnifolioides Pax & Hoffm. have been compared. The parameters applied for such comparison were the pharmacogeography concerning this genus in Pernambuco, as well as the pharmacoetymology, the pharmacoethnology, the pharmacobotany and the pharmacochemistry, all of which related to both species above mentioned. Not only was the present study able to ascertain the species’ rate regarding the State, but also to determine its medical usage and denomination among the locals. The botanical characteristics were compared and a phytochemical analysis was carried out in order to establish the extractive rocedures and also the main molecule’s rate found on both: terpenoids, alkaloids, polyphenols and reducting sugars.